Polishing composition



Patented Get. 14, 1952 PQLISHING CGMPOSITION Ralph G. Swanson,

Pont de Nemours &

Flint, Mich assignor to E. 1. Company, Wilmington,

Del, a. corporation of Delaware No Drawing. ApplicationJune 27, 1949,

Serial No. 101,677

This invention relates to a polishing composition for use on relativelysmooth surfaces, and more particularly to Wax polishing compositionsdesigned primarily for spray application, whose films are characterizedby improved gloss, easy polishing, and relatively good durability onoutdoor exposure.

Polishing compositions containing a great va riety of ingredientsincluding waxes are Wellknown in the art. Most of them are somewhatdeficient in at least one desirable property such as initial gloss, easeof gloss development, outdoor resistance to the elements, and otherproperties discussed hereinafter. The present invention combines allthese properties to an extent lacking in prior art compositions of whichI am aware.

This invention has as an object'the provision of a polishing compositionfor use on relatively smooth surfaces, capable of application by sprayto reduce the time and labor requirement that characterizes theapplication of the conventional rubbing waxes, both paste and liquid. Afurther object is to deposit a film of controlled thickness andlubricity so that the operation of developing maximum gloss bymechanical eifort is reduced from tedious, laborious rubbing to rapidand easy wiping. A still further object is to attain a degree of glosshigher than heretofore achieved in the art of polishing relativelysmooth surfaces. A still further object is to attain an unusually highdegree of stability and integrity during a relatively prolonged periodof storage for this type of composition. Other hereinafter.

These objects are accomplished according to the present invention bypreparing a polishing composition comprising a soluble, liquidfilm-former of oily character, selected from the class of compoundstechnically known as polysiloxanes or silicones, with a dispersion ofWaxes and wax-like coating substances, of animal, vegetable, mineral orsynthetic origin, in a non-aqueous vehicle such as naphtha derived frompetroleum, together with a finely divided, insoluble solid substancecapable of enhancing the visibility of the wax film on drying, thedispersion being maintained in stable form largely through the presenceof a metallic soap dispersible in the vehicle.

The invention is best described by illustrations of preferredcompositions of the improved wax polishing composition, as follows:

objects Will appear 3 Claims. (Cl. 10610) Example 1 Parts by weight-Zinc stearate 1.0 Polysiloxane 1.5 Beeswax 0.5 Amorphous silica 4.0Lacquer diluent naphtha 30.0 V. M.&P. naphtha 63.0

Example II Parts-by weight Ethylene/methyl propionate telomer 0.5Magnesium oxide 1.0a Microcrystalline hydrocarbon wax 0.5 Polysiloxane2.0 Lacquer diluent naphtha 32.0 V. M.- & P. naphtha 64.0

Example III Ethylene/methyl propionate telomer 0.50 Magnesium oxide 1.00Polysiloxane 2.25 1 Microcrystalline hydrocarbon wax 0.60v Lacquerdiluent naphtha 31.88 V. M. 8: P. naphtha 63.77

Example IV I Parts by weight Parts by Weight Example VIII Parts byweight Beeswax 1.2 Microcrystalline hydrocarbon wax 1.5 Magnesium oxide1.5 Polysiloxane 3.0 Aluminum stearate 1.2 Petroleum naphtha B. R.140200 C 91 6 Example IX Parts by weight 9 Beeswax Microcrystallinehydrocarbon wax 1.5 Magnesium oxide 1.5 Polysiloxane 2.4 Aluminumstearate 1.2 Petroleum naphtha B. R. 140-200 C 92.5

Example X Parts by weight Beeswax 0.9 Microcrystalline hydrocarbon wax1.5 Magnesium oxide 1.5 Polysiloxane 3.0 Aluminum stearate 1.2 Petroleumnaphtha B. R. 140200 C 91.9

Example XI Parts by weigh Beeswax 0.9 Microcrystalline hydrocarbon wax1.5 Magnesium oxide 1.5 Polysiloxane 3.6 Aluminum stearate 1.2 Petroleumnaphtha B. R. 140-200 C 91.3

The polishing compositions are preferably prepared as follows: Themetallic soap is dispersed in a major portion of the naphtha by heatingwith agitation until a temperature of 160 F.- 175 F. is reached,followed by continued agitation at this temperature until a cleardispersion is obtained. The magnesium oxide is then added with continuedagitation and the mixture is cooled to 70 F.-80 F. Meanwhile, the waxesare melted together, not exceeding 200 F., the bal-' ance of the naphthais added, and mixing is continued until the temperature drops to 175 F.

The wax dispersion is then added to the metallic soap dispersion,followed by the polysiloxane. Final agitation should be of at least tenminutes duration.

In the foregoing compositions, the waxes or waxy substances, themetallic soaps, and the polysiloxane are regarded as film formers, inthat they remain on the polished surface after the process ofapplication is completed to form a more or less continuous film ofglossy character. The primary function of the metallic soaps, however,is that of a suspending agent for the other dispersed components, andits film-forming properties are secondary. Both the ethylene/methylpropionate telomer and the microcrystalline hydrocarbon wax serve assuspending agents, in addition to their primary function ofgloss-producing film formers. The finely divided solid, as exemplifiedby the magnesium oxide, serves to enhance the visibility of the film onspraying and drying, so that the operator may exercise close controlover film thickness. The naphthas serve as the vehicle in which thesolids are suspended, and through which they are transferred to thesurface to be polished.

The ethylene/methyl propionate telomer is a waxy material which may beused in place of beeswax in the invention. The preferred type is onewhich produces an absolute viscosity in the range from 1.5 to 3800centipoises at C. The lower viscosity range, however, is preferred. Themicrocrystalline hydrocarbon wax may be any of the hard varietiescommonly sold on the open market, preferably one melting at F. to F. Thelacquer diluent naphtha is an aliphatic petroleum distillate boilingbetween 88"- C. and 131 0., having an aniline point between 54 C. and 60C. The aluminum stearate may be any available on the market, but thosenearest the theoretical aluminum tristearate (C1'1H35.COO)3A1 arepreferred.

The polysiloxane used in the examples is an organosilicon oxide polymerin liquid form having a kinematic viscosity of 1000 centistokes. Thesepolymers are multiples of the structure:

, SiO it in which R is a hydrocarbon. They are discussed fully inRuchow: "Chemistry of the Silicones, 1946.

The compositions as prepared according to the foregoing examples anddirections are cloudy liquids of low viscosity. They are ready to spraywithout reduction, using compressed air delivered preferably at the rateof 2 cubic feet per minute at 25 to 30 pounds pressure. They dry veryrapidly to yield a white, dusty film, which can be wiped to an unusuallyhigh gloss with very little effort, if not applied excessively. Thedurability of this film is good when exposed outof-doors, and it retainsa high degree of water resistance for a long period. The stability ofthe compositions is also good in prolonged storage, as evidenced by lackof corrosiveness to metallic containers, rapid and easy reconstitutionof settled components by gentle agitation, and no damage from storageunder alternately warm and cold conditions.

Although Example X above is the preferred form and concentration of theinvention, it represents primarily a compromise for commercial purposesbetween economy and efliciency. The concentration of solids has beenvaried over a wide range without becoming inoperable, as shown below:

A wide variety of finely divided solids may replace the magnesium oxideor amorphous silica to perform the function of enhancing the visibilityof the film satisfactorily as a spray guide. Included are most of thecommercially available white or light-colored pigments and extenders,although high specific gravity is to be avoided to preserve goodsettling. Among such pigments and extenders are titanium dioxidepigments, talc, blanc fixe, lithopone, and clays.

In the examples any aliphatic petroleum distillate, normally obtained inliquid form, may be used. These naphthas may have a wide range ofboiling point represented by petroleum ether as the most volatile up toand including kerosene as the least volatile. Any of these may besubstituted for the naphthas called for in the examples.

In Example X ethylene/methyl propionate telomer may replace themicrocrystalline hydrocarbon wax withoutdetracting from the advantagesof the invention. Moreover, both the beeswax and microcrystallinehydrocarbon wax may be replaced by a variety of other waxes or waxlikesubstances, or combinations thereof, in whole or in part, such ascarnauba, parafiin, candelilla, various ozokerites and ceresines,myristio acid, oxidized hydrocarbon waxes, montan, ouricury, palm wax,spermaceti, sugar cane wax, bayberry wax and Chinese insect wax. In theclaims the term wax is intended to be generic to these materials. Othermetallic soaps that may be employed successfully as replacements foraluminum stearate include zinc stearate, calcium stearate, zirconylstearate, zirconyl laurate and aluminum palmitate.

The unusually high gloss, ease of cleanup, uniformity and generalsuperiority over known prior art with respect to initial appearance, andthe good stability are attributed largely to the presence of thepolysiloxane. This substance appears to act as (1) a lubricant, whichinfluences the ease of cleanup; (2) a film-former; (3) a gloss-producingagent; (4) a water-repellent; and finally (5) an introfier orplasticizer, by virtue of which it appears to stabilize or homogenizethe dispersed solids to a high degree in solid form as is evidenced inthe easy cleanup of the laid down film.

The uses of this invention lie in the field of polishing and waxingrelatively smooth surfaces, which embraces automobiles; busses; trucks;railway equipment; aircraft and marine equipment; enameled, painted,varnished or lacquered stationary equipment including display signs;containers and cabinets; furniture; metallic objects and art objects.

The compositions illustrated by the examples shown above and, inparticular, by the preferred embodiment shown in Example X, have beenfound superior to the prior art cited above with respect to latitude ofoperable film thickness,

ease of development of high gloss, initial gloss and water resistance.

The ratio of polysiloxane to total film-formers in Example X includingthe aluminum stearate, is 0.455 or 122.2. I have found that ratios lyingwithin the range from 0.4 (1:2.5) to 0.5 (1:2) will yield compositionscomparable to Example X in properties, still possessing the advantagesalready claimed over the prior art. At ratios below 0.4, however, thelubricating action due to the presence of the polysiloxane is lowered,resulting in a higher energy requirement for the development of gloss bywiping; at the same time, the initial gloss is degraded more rapidly onoutdoor exposure. In addition, a low enough ratio can be reached thatthere is not enough polysiloxane present to form a continuous film, withthe result that the treated surface has a spotty, nonuniform appearance.On the other hand, ratios greater than 0.5 (or 1:2) have been shown tolead to excessively lubricated films, which are thus greasy anddifiicult to wipe to a satisfactory gloss, resulting in an unnecessarilycostly composition as well. The range of greatest operability,therefore, is represented by the ratios of 0.4 to 0.5 of polysiloxane tototal film-formers.

The degree of initial gloss obtainable with compositions of the presentinvention is unusually high. It has been outstanding over the prior artcited above and over other spray-waxing compositions in whichpolysiloxanes were not employed.

It is apparent that many widely different embodiments of this inventionmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, andtherefore, it is not intended to be limited except as indicated in theappended claims.

Iclaim:

l. A polishing composition having the following percentage range:

Wax 0.8- 7.2 Finely divided inert solid 0.5- 4.5 Polysiloxane 1.0- 9.0Water-insoluble metallic soap 0.4- 3.6 Naphtha 97.3-75.7

the said polysiloxane having a kinematic viscosity of about 1000centistokes and being presentin amount between 0.4 and 0.5 part for eachpart of total film-forming solids.

2. A polishing composition having the following formula in parts byweight:

Beeswax 0.9 Microcrystalline wax 1.5 Magnesium oxide 1.5 Polysiloxane3.0 Aluminum stearate 1.2 Naphtha B. R. C.200 C 91.9

3. The process of preparing polishing compositions which oomprisesdispersing 1.2 parts of aluminum tristearate in petroleum naphtha byheating with stirring until a temperature of F. to F. is reached,continuing the stirring until a clear dispersion is obtained, addingthereto 1.5 parts of magnesium oxide with continued stirring, allowingthe mixture to cool to 70 C. to 80 C., separately melting 0.9 part ofbeeswax and 1.5 parts of hydrocarbon wax together, adding naphthathereto, while mixing, allowing to cool to 175 F. adding this waxdispersion to the aluminum tristearate dispersion 7 together with 3.0parts of polysiloxane and there- UNITED STATES PATENTS after continuingthe stirring for at least 10 Number Name Date minutes- 1,871,187 LindsayAug. 9, 1932 RALPH G. SWANSON. 2,010,297 Flaxman Aug. 6, 1935 I 7 52,214,263 Weihe Sept. 10, 1940 2,380,219 Clinton July 10, 1945REFERENCES CITED 2,383,521 Sowa, Aug. 28, 1945 The following referencesare of record 111 the 2,409,633 Hawk Oct 22, 1946 file of thls Patent!2,470,772 Haas May 24, 1949

2. A POLISHING COMPOSITION HAVING THE FOLLOWING FORMULA IN PARTS BYWEIGHT: